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71 dead after Old Kijabe dam bursts, flooding Mai Mahiu Town

The scene after a man-made gulley burst, flooding the nearby Mai Mahiu Town, Naivasha. (Photo: Handout)

By Barack Oduor | 29 Apr 2024

The Kenya Police, County Disaster team, Kenya Red Cross and community members are at the scene.

The death toll has risen to 71 after houses and vehicles were swept away in flash floods in Mai Mahiu, Naivasha, when the Old Kijabe dam upstream in Kiambu County burst its walls.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen made the announcement on Monday, raising the roll from a previously reported 71.

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Earlier, Naivasha police boss Stephen Kirui said several vehicles remained trapped in mud, which meant the death toll was likely to rise.

"A search and rescue operation is underway after a dam in Old Kijabe burst and flooded part of Mai Mahiu town in Naivasha. The old dam burst early Monday morning before the water swept away several houses. Scores of people have also been rushed to the hospital," Kirui said.

UPDATE On Mai Mahiu Floods: "42 bodies so far retrieved, 5 vehicles trapped in the mud but bodies have been retrieved, more bodies still trapped in the mud to be removed," Naivasha police boss Stephen Kirui says

Over 100 victims were rushed to both Mai Mahiu and Naivasha… pic.twitter.com/NcbSYS12pd
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) April 29, 2024

This marks the largest single loss of life amid the torrential rains and extensive flooding that have affected the country this month.

Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara visited the scene on Monday morning, where she decried the destruction caused by the bursting of the dam.

"The extent of the damage is yet to be assessed, but the rescue operation led by the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Police, and County Disaster team officials is underway," said Kihara.

The scene in Mai Mahiu Town, Naivasha, after a dam in Old Kijabe burst. (Photo: Handout)

Those who are badly affected are from Kamuchiri Village, where homes and farms have been completely swept away by the raging floods that uprooted tree stumps and destroyed roads.

The flooding also cut off traffic on the Nairobi-Naivasha highway.

A notice by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) warned that roads in the affected areas are now impassable and can not be accessed.

"Approximately 700m from Mai Mahiu towards Naivasha and approximately 1km from Mai Mahiu towards Suswa/Narok, these areas are heavily affected, with road blockages reported," KeNHA said in a statement.